We’ve all been in business meetings where people really mess up the proceedings. In almost all cases, the intent behind their actions is not malicious, but the effect can be damaging or uncomfortable for everyone.

Let’s look at six types of people who often misalign intent and effect to mess up a meeting.

The multi-tasker

These are people who engage in side conversations, occasionally look up and offer ideas, or use their cell phones. Assuming the positive, their intent may be to get work done, save time, or relieve stress and pressure. Instead they come across as thinking their work is more important, causing other participants to feel put down.

The silent killer

These people say almost nothing. They don’t readily share their ideas, and if they do, it is usually offline. Their intent may be to keep themselves safe, avoid embarrassment, or stay out of politics. The effect is that the group never gets the value they can offer.

Attackers

They are quick to point out errors, and they jump to conclusions. Their intent is to get it right and to help people improve. Their effect is that they make others feel as though no mistakes are allowed. It shuts down the sharing of ideas and discourages fresh thinking.

Show-off

These folks offer lots of ideas and suggestions, often completing other’s sentences and leaving little room for others to contribute. Behind their intent is a creative mind at work. They relieve their own tension of ideas exploding in their heads. But they come across as thinking that their ideas come first, causing others to give up. If it’s a one-person meeting, why bother?

Whiners

These people share concern after concern, most often in how things relate to them. Their driving intent is to keep themselves safe. The make comments such as, “I’m already struggling and can’t do any more." The effect is the group tunes them out, or the group starts thinking about their own personal concerns.

The indecisive ones

These people are quick to delay decisions, constantly seeking more data, or deferring decisions to a higher authority. Their intent may be to get it right, include everyone, and stay safe in a politicized environment. The effect is that little if any action occurs, leaving the group to wonder why they bother.

How to address these people

In all of these instances the misalignment of the intent of the people and the effect they are having on the group can derail a meeting. Misaligned intent and effect requires an intervention to interrupt it. Without the interruption the negative effects just continue. When any of the symptoms occur, take a moment to infer the positive intent behind what you hear or what someone does. Then do one of the following:

Paraphrase the positive intent you infer. Ask them, “What I hear you saying is …is that right?”

Ask what’s behind someone’s concern. Ask them,“Tell me more about what you are thinking.”

Ken Cook is the co-founder of How to Who, a program on how to build strong relationships and how to build business through those relationships. Learn more at www.howtowho.com.